Udon St. Marks is a dying breed in New York City. A no frills diner spot that has quality food at prices that feel like they were pre-inflation. I came here for the first time on a Saturday night abs got their udon and rice meal. It was fairly filling and satisfying. Our food came out fairly quickly. The space itself is fairly narrow and is pretty much just a long corridor below ground. But people don't come here for some kind of fancy atmosphere. They come here for a good, affordable meal. read more

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I was craving a bowl of noddles and ended up at Udon St Marks. There was a long line when I arrived at dinner and it is due to their limited counter seating. This place is ideal for pairs and individuals vs large groups. Service was good. I got a bowl of udon and a beef bowl. Both were just ok. Cash only. Udon St Marks gets 3.5 stars. Given the long line and ok food, I'll probably would not return. read more

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We were in the area and wanted something quick and warm. Arrived 5 mins after opening time and were seated immediately, and thought we were really lucky! Too bad we ran out of luck after. We ordered udon sets and rice bowls. The udon was fine, just the usual udon you get in Japanese restaurants. The tempura however was the worst I've ever had in NYC. The batter was thick and the veggies inside were soggy and drenched in batter. Couldn't eat them... And the rice was SO bad, two of us couldn't eat the rice at all. We didn't send the rice back only because we ordered the sets and the udon was enough carbs for us. The rice was cooked horribly wrong - it was so hard and dry, almost like it's not cooked through. My guess is.. not enough water? But that's impossible in a rice cooker, and I've never had rice so bad before. We just finished the udon that came with the set and left all the rice there. I guess this place is cheap and cheerful and great for students, but I definitely wouldn't come back. read more

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I ordered a kalbi set. I loved the udon with a little bit of spice(table had red flakes). It was very filling. Kalbi was good but a bit on the salty side. My partner ordered negi-toro don set. He liked his dish. read more

Udon St Marks - Kalbi set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Great food for an even greater price. Crazy that places like this still exist in the city. The karaage was admittedly not that great, but had a really homey taste. The udon, however, really surprised me. The tempura was hot and crispy, and the tennose bukkake udon had so many toppings. The bonito flakes were large shavings and tasted much better than what you can buy in the grocery store. I will be back again soon! read more

Udon St Marks - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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I always come here for a reliable meal! I've been coming here with my friend since high school (back when it used to be Udon West). I love the set options on the menu and everything is decently priced (although prices have gone up in the past few years). I stopped by more recently for my usual (curry set) and it's just as I remember it to be: warm and comforting. The only thing I feel like has changed over the years is the udon broth, nowadays it's a tad bit too salty for my liking. The service is pretty good, you get your food shortly after ordering and it's a great solo dining place with the bar seating. read more

Udon St Marks - Curry Set, Takoyaki Set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Fourth time here. This has been my partner's favorite place and I will say that they are consistent. There's new staff, who are very friendly. The tempura is good and the fatty tuna over rice is a safe option. read more

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I got the Pork Cutlet set, and after waiting 35+ minutes in a waitlist at a nearby soba spot and being told they'll prioritize larger parties for seating after I followed up, I was relieved to find a spot that could seat me as a single diner. My food was ready fairly shortly. This spot wasn't too loud, so it was great for a lowkey night. The pork cutlet was crispy with cabbage drizzled in flavorful sauce. The rice wasn't too soggy and paired perfectly with the cutlet. The udon noodles and soup tasted comforting and familiar. This spot is cash-only, but there was conveniently an ATM right outside. read more

Udon St Marks - Pork Cutlet Set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Casual and cozy Japanese restaurant with great prices. They are cash only. The niku udon I had was delicious, the portion was huge! I loved the flavorful soup. The combo meals are also a great price, the curry set was great. The service is fast. read more

Udon St Marks - niku udon, curry set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Everything here hits. It is a no frills experience. Restaurant recently went viral due to recteamnyc's post so expect to wait a little. We waited around 20 min at 6pm on a Saturday night so not too bad. Seating area is small but that's why it's a hole in the wall and is reflective of an authentic Japanese experience as if you were in Tokyo. Server is very friendly and you can tell she loves her job and has been running the place for years. Udon broth had a deep flavor and the noodles were solid. This is a homey nostalgic dish. Pork katsu curry was delicious - perfect curry flavor and crispiness of the pork. Negitoro was larger than expected (even though I know I was getting the large). Wasabi provides a necessary kick. Lots of extra rice but just drop it in the udon soup when you have no more noodles. Cash only. Cheap prices for NYC. Will be coming back read more

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Me and my friends were craving a comforting meal as it was raining today. We were in the area and found this place. It is cash only which is stated in the front and on the menu. It looked like most of the seats were at the bar where you get to see all the magic happen. The food is affordable and I loved that the udon broth was not super sweet like other udon soups I've had. Pretty good portion for the price too. Lunch time seemed like it got busy pretty quickly so expect a wait during peak times. read more

Udon St Marks - Niku Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

If you're looking for affordable udon, this is your place. Nothing extraordinary. I believe they use frozen udon packages instead of making it handmade Just affordable with a large quantity. read more

Nice, affordable spot for a quick and easy meal! The udon and the meal itself are pretty average - nothing special about it, but you can't get better than this at their level of affordability. The interior is a nice and cozy spot for a quick meal. You can either sit at the bar or at one of the tables. It's kind of crowded inside, especially when it's busy. read more

CASH ONLY. You're getting what you pay for. A decent meal for a decent price. I got the kakiage udon and had no complaints. The udon was from a frozen block so my expectations were not high, but they cooked it with the right amount of chew, the soup base was good, and kakiage was cripsy. The bowl itself was only $12 and I was full by the end. If I lived closer, I would easily stop by and grab a cheap bite :) read more

Udon St Marks - Kaki-Age Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

THIS PLACE IS CASH ONLY WITH A $10 MINIMUM PER PERSON. No frills udon shop serving some other classic Japanese fare on st marks. Ordered the takoyaki, curry udon, niku udon, and ebi-ten on the side. Total after tax and tip was a little under $50 which by NYC standards I'd say is very fairly priced. Everything was solid, but not mind blowing. Still think it's a great casual spot to go if you're looking for some reasonably priced food. I'd definitely come back. Space is pretty small. Mostly counter seating with a few tables in the back. Would not recommend for a big group. 2 is ideal. 4 would be max imo. Service can be a little slow since it's only like 2 people working, but they get food out at a pretty reasonable clip and keep things moving. Would recommend! read more

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3.5 We are not into Udon but my family was ok with the other items on the menu. Small place - bar style seating upon entering, with a view of the kitchen which looked very clean. 3-4 small tables in the rear. Looks updated. Service is very attentive. Clean restroom available. No fuss type of food. Negi toro rice bowl was simple, not much toppings, better with some soy sauce and wasabi. Hamburg can be in a combo but got it as an appetizer; patty's small but tasty. Takoyaki was good, creamy center. Squid tempura in rice bowl was a bit soggy though I liked the flavor. A good place for quick, cheap eats. read more

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I missed this place so much, I know they were closed for a while and reopened and I visited after years of not coming back. I ordered their Karaage set and thankfully everything still hit the spot. The Karaage is so crispy outside and tastes soo good with squeezed lemon juice on top and the mayo it comes with. Their udon noodles are soft and chewy and I love how this set comes with rice too! This place is CASH ONLY so be prepared to bring cash! read more

Udon St Marks - Karaage Set Combo - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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I've been coming to udon st marks since 2019. It was my to go spot since it was affordable. You could get a set for $12-13. Prices have gone up since then but the food is still great. I always go for their sets which are pretty filling. I usually get their sausage, croquette, takoyaki, or cutlet set. I recently tried their kalbi with my friends and it was too chewy (3/5). I love their cold udon, super refreshing in the summer and the noodles are nice and chewy. The space is pretty small with mainly counter seaters so not the best for large groups. Also this spot is cash only! read more

Udon St Marks - Sausage Set, Takoyaki - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious food and superb customer service. Never ran out of water noodles were delicious and the pork katsu was very crispy! The cabbage salad with the dressing was also super good!! read more

Udon St Marks - Curry Set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Service was absolutely incredible! Our waitress was so attentive as she never let a single glass of water get low. The portions were large, the prices were really fair, and (most importantly) everything tasted good. I especially loved the kimchi udon! read more

This little spot is absolutely perfect. Cozy and welcoming with a view of their open kitchen from the bar. The staff are always welcoming and efficient. But most importantly the food is DELICIOUS. I have never ever had a bad meal here. And the prices are very reasonable for what you get! My first stop every time I'm in the area. read more

Udon St Marks - Potato croquette combo with hot udon soup. - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Price is pretty good for the meal you get here. The food itself is pretty authentic. Service isn't exactly fast but there is really only a single chef so it can only be so fast. Ambience is a hit or miss depending on whether you're setting at the bar where it feels authentic or at the back table where it feels cluttered. read more

Udon St Marks - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

The karaage here is soooooooo good, I've been thinking about it all week!! They have many options and the sets are super filling. I got the gyoza set, which had noodles, gyoza, and rice, and we had to order karaage to share of course, so I was stuffed by the end of this meal. We sat at the counter so it was fun to watch the cooks prepare our food. Everyone working was attentive and kind. It is cash only but they have an ATM outside. read more

Udon St Marks - Pork Gyoza Set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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The food was amazing. Service was great. I got niku udon & my husband got the gyudon cause we love this style of Japanese beef. It's our go-to at every Japanese restaurant that has it. The beef and my soup was incredibly flavorful and satisfying. They also don't cheap out on the beef, they give you so much. We also got edamame as our veggie, which I have no complaints about, it was salted and a good complement to all that protein. Price is decent and amazing location. Not our first time here and will not be the last. read more

Udon St Marks - Gyu Don, Edamame, & Niku Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

TLDR: 4/5 - As a new customer being accompanied by someone who is a returning customer I'd say I did not have the same experience as some other reviewers. We came around 6:20pm maybe and it took around 15 minutes to get seated. The seating time does depend on how many people in your party there are. It is small and it was packed. We sat at the bar. There's only about two proper table arrangements so don't get mad if you can't seat your whole posse. You've been warned. The whole place is cozy in a semi cramped way but that's New York City for you. Ordered: Udon w Tuna combo: 4/5 - The udon had a really good flavor. Simple but very fresh. It was perfect for a cold night out and a sizable bowl for a combo, I was expecting smaller. The tuna was just okay. It didn't have much flavor and as a person who really likes sushi I think I was expecting something more along those lines as far as flavor and the kind but perhaps that was my fault. Still a sizable portion though! Totally full off these two! Service: 5/5 They were very nice and accommodative. The one server was doing everything god bless her. Our meal came out super quick. Otherwise, if I needed an affordable place to go to in St Marks I would go back! Not the first place on my list but definitely not bad to what everyone else is saying! I enjoyed my experience. Note: Places to hang your coats and umbrellas at the front. Cash only Nice bathroom! read more

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I always find myself wanting to pop in to have a solo meal and again this to me is very reminiscent of Japan. The space in itself has not changed much, it's mostly bar seating with a few tables in the back so you can the food being made. My favorite thing obviously remains the classic udon and I love being able to pair it with a little something else. This time though I tried the Takiage udon which is mixed vegetables and shrimp tempura. I got it on the side which thank god because I don't know how i would've eaten it! It's a big ball of mostly onions and carrots and some green onion and maybe 2-3 shrimp. I would try something else next time, or go back to my combo! The service was very fast and the girls are sweet. They brought us water even though the water is right behind us, and she came to get me when the bathroom was available again because she knew I was waiting! There usually isn't a crazy line now a days, but I also haven't been around dinner or lunch times. read more

Udon St Marks - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

About a 1-1.5: UGH, it pains me to write this update, but Udon West will not longer be part of our to-eats when visiting. This placed used to be our favorite, as we've been coming here for years; we were devastated to hear that they had closed this location temporarily, and celebrated when we saw that they had re-opened again. When we were in town, we came here right when they had opened for lunch - we love sitting at the counter, so we requested these seats. We ordered our usual - the croquettes, the pork donkatsu with the curry and white rice, and udon. Unfortunately, the meal was just super disappointing. The flavors that we were looking forward to were just not there - not sure if it's a change in the recipe, the cut of cost in certain ingredients, or something, but the comfort meal we were very much anticipating was shot. Service is friendly. Cash only. +cash only +friendly service read more

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A no frills udon shop in st marks place, east village. It gets crowded so there may be a wait. You sit at the counter to eat with a few tables in the back. I sat at the counter which can also get a little hot since they are using the fire to heat up a lot of dishes. Also, bring cash! It's a cash only spot. The noodles taste really fresh and are very soft, the broth is also good and I added some of the shake seasoning which amplifies the flavor. It's simple, fresh and really good. I got the shrimp tempura. I wish they served it separate from the soup because the soup makes the breading soggy right away but it was good. I would have liked the shrimp to be fried a little longer they were just fried enough, but another min would have been perfect. The order comes with 2 shrimp, but I ordered 2 more on the side. If you want good, fast udon I recommend coming here. Staff is friendly. read more

Udon St Marks - Shrimp tempura udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Food (5/5) - Great portions! - Ordered the combo of negi toro don and hot udon. The negi toro don was nice and slightly fatty. Both portions were generous - I also ordered a glass of Kirin which was also really generously sized Service (4/5) - Service was average but could tell they were rushing my friend and I to get out as quickly as possible Ambiance (5/5) - Fast, casual spot - This place is cash only but they have an ATM right outside - Gets filled pretty quickly so come early read more

Udon St Marks - Nabeyaki udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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My friends and I wanted to get udon on pretty short notice so not enough time to get a reservation at one of the buzzier spots, but Udon St. Marks hit the mark for us tonight! It's a small space but no wait on a Sunday night, and we were seated at the bar with a fun view of the kitchen. They have many varieties of udon plus sets that come with a basic udon and a rice bowl or appetizer, all at very affordable prices (but cash only). I got the negitoro don set, minced raw tuna over rice. I loved having the variety of two items in one meal, and both together make a very generous portion that is sure to fill you up. It's a simple meal that may not change your life, but it's great-value Japanese comfort food that is perfect for satisfying a craving. read more

Udon St Marks - Negi-Toro Don Set Combo - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

So simple and satisfying! Was looking forward to coming here after it was closed for a while. If you've been to Udon West near grand central, it's exactly like that. A cheap bowl of smooth udon with various toppings to choose from and great set meals! I probably would've ordered a set meal but didn't want to be too full. The shrimp tempura was sooo crispy as you can see in the picture but I wish they didn't put it in the soup since it got soggy right away. The waitress was nice and attentive. Would definitely come back and order a lot more! Note: cash only! Kind of a small place so it might be a long wait during peak hours. read more

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[QUICK STATS] Food: Japanese Cuisine Service: Friendly Staff Interior: Clean and tidy, including the restroom! Price: $$ Relatively Cheap-- CASH ONLY! Udon St. Marks is a gem in New York not many are willing to search for, but once you've gotten it, it is always a place worth coming back to. If you're looking for a fresh new spot and don't got a lot of dough on you, this place has the perfect portions and quality you're looking to impress your friends with. The interior is rather small, but they do have a lot of bar space if you're going with a friend or two. One of my personal favorite features is their coatrack and the bag hooks underneath the bar-- many miss it but it's definitely there! The bar overlooks their noodle kitchen so you can watch the chef's make your meal right in front of you! Quite the rustic charm, for sure. Recently, I had my all-time favorite, the Tempura Combo. This combination platter comes with a large bowl of udon topped with chives, a bowl of rice, four golden-fried veggies, and two large, perfectly crisp shrimps with a side of tempura sauce. The plating is 100% instagram worthy, and it actually tastes amazing too! Everything on the plate is made fresh and comes on a neat little tray. They even provide spice flakes and other condiments at the table, rich really up the flavor of the soup. Love coming here, and have since I was in High School. This place is near and dear to my heart, so if you haven't already, definitely give these guys a try. They totally deserve it! read more

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Super chill, affordable, no frills udon shop. Satisfied all of our cravings and was a hidden gem on St. Marks with little/no wait time! The meal sets come with udon and a rice bowl, so they are pretty filling. The tempura and karaage were nice appetizers as well. The restaurant is pretty small with more bar seating, so I'd recommend coming with small groups only. read more

Udon St Marks - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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No frills, exactly what you see, you get, delcious food. Had the katsu udon set all very delicious. The gyoza as well. The salad is especially good with the creamy sesame dressing. Would make a staple to go to for udon and japanese food. read more

People seem to not understand how great of this small environment truly is, especially when it gives you the authentic feeling of going to a traditional udon place in Japan. Service is always on point wait time has been quick (at this time). Niku udon will forever be my go to dish same as their veggie spring rolls and curry udon. read more

Udon St Marks - Niku Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Being cash-only means the prices will be cheaper. Food: 5/5 I got the curry set. The rice was perfectly fluffy, I inhaled my food (oops). Noodles were great, miso soup broth was warm and cozy. My meal totaled to just under $13. Service: 5/5 Fast. No problems. Ambiance: 5/5 Cozy, warm-lighting. It's what you imagine when you think of a noodle place. read more

I got the tempura shrimp and veggie udon and I was disappointed that it was a giant nest of tempura with very little shrimp but it was still good. However, the fried batter really just fell off instantly and made my udon a giant mushy mess so I would recommend not getting a tempura based one. I enjoyed the udon besides that and would come back because it's so affordable. read more

Udon St Marks - Tempura udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

In terms of food quality it's very mid but the prices are really good considering the amount of food you receive. I liked the combos that I tried well enough but I hate how for the regular udon dishes they put the crispy things into the soup especially when it comes to the tempura it becomes a mushy mess and seems really unappetizing. This is a good place to go to if you want a quick cheap meal, but if you want quality udon I would recommend Raku instead. read more

Udon St Marks - a plate of noodles, chicken, and broccoli - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

i liked the vibes and it was surprisingly no wait for lunch on saturday, cash only. the rice is a little bit mushy imo but the udon texture is good ambiance is small and cozy read more

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While I don't think it'll win any awards for the best udon in the city, Udon St. Marks is still a place that I think is worth venturing to when in the East Village. Given the closure of some very popular nearby spots (#1) I am genuinely happy to see them thriving in what might be the closest thing to a Lil Japan (#1) in NY. Like many of the establishments in the motherland, Udon St Marks is a tight fit. A narrow bar / counter stretches across the inside, where just over a dozen seats face an open kitchen of a rowdy staff cooking things up for folks. There is a few sit down tables for couples but they're in a narrow corner of the restaurant. For folks sitting on the counter, there is a chance of spillage and even the higher likelihood of coming out smelling like broth, but there are certainly worse things in life. This is the perfect solo dining meal, but also worthy of a date who is okay with close quarter eating. The food was always inconsistent over the years, but I find they've gotten better through the pandemic. I have always been a sucker for the nabeyaki udon + tempura combo, which comes with a side a bowl of rice. The soft udon noodles make for a nice contrast to the crunch of the assorted tempura. Their chige udon is a nice play between Korean stews (chigae) and udon and contains a good flavor'y mix of beef, kimchi, egg, and spinach. I also think the karaage (fried chicken) and maru-ten (fish cake + tempura) udon are worthy of consideration. Then there are the standout dishes that aren't udon based at all, which is where I give them the additional thumbs up. Their curry sets (croquette or cutlet) are super tasty and I am a big time sucker for their negi-tori don (fatty tuna over rice); which is so good I wish there was more of it. The gyoza and takoyaki (octopus balls) are solid, but certainly don't trump the main dishes whatsoever. Last I checked, they were cash only. Indoor dining service has resumed so that it's not exclusively a takeout joint. Service is friendly and they don't rush folks even when there is a wait. I would avoid bringing large groups of any kind here and would recommend ordering both a rice and noodle bowl for the best of both worlds. ____________ (#1) R.I.P. Village Yochoko, Angel's Share, Ramen Setagaya (#2) St. Marks, East Village. read more

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